New testing standard: State switching emphasis from SAT to ACT

Fewer students are taking the SAT. Most students are taking the ACT instead, said Cleveland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Boyles.

Jessica Pickens

Fewer students are taking the SAT. Most students are taking the ACT instead, said Cleveland County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bruce Boyles.

“The state is transitioning from SAT to ACT,” Boyles said. “North Carolina was predominately an SAT state and other states used ACT. The state made the decision to offer the opportunity to take ACT. It’s less expensive to administer and the state pays for it.”

North Carolina SAT scores for the previous testing year were released this week.

Cleveland County Schools posted the same systemwide average school as the previous year -- but some county schools posted big increases or declines in average scores.

CCS scores on the SAT are lower than both the national and state levels.

“We are going to continue working on our scores, though we are focusing more on ACT Prep," Boyles said.

SAT online courses and study materials are still offered through the schools. Some students take both the SAT and ACT to see how their scores compare, Boyles said.

“I think we will see the numbers decrease of students who take the SAT decrease by some degree,” he said. “I think that will cause the scores to be a little bit different over time."